Yin Laoqi took up residence on the cargo ship, diligently monitoring the movements of the passenger ship. Every time Yin Lang appeared on the bow, his eyebrows twitched noticeably.
After a month-long journey by water, in mid-May, the group disembarked, loaded their goods onto carts, and embarked on a half-day walk to Pingcheng.
The laborers efficiently handled the cargo. Yin Yong invited the four guards arranged by the Feng family to enjoy tea at a nearby teahouse. As a token of appreciation, each of them received fifty taels of silver. Yin Yong expressed his gratitude, saying, “I appreciate the assistance of you four strong men. Now that Pingcheng lies ahead, it’s time for you to return and promptly report to your master.”
The four guards exchanged glances and responded, “There’s still half a day left, no need to rush.”
Yin Yong smiled and suggested, “However, there’s a crowd forming near the city gate, and rumors about collusion between the government and the businessman might spread. If you’re concerned, you could depart ahead of us and observe our caravan from a distance.”
The guards, recalling their smooth journey south of the Yangtze River and assured by being in Pingcheng, agreed to Yin Yong’s proposal.
Yin Yong handed them the silver, and as they rode away, he watched their departure. Once they were out of sight, Yin Yong turned his gaze towards the pier, where Yin Lang, dressed in a robe, oversaw the loading of goods.
With all the goods secured, the caravan resumed its journey. During a break, Yin Yong signaled to the two guards beside Yin Laoqi. Taking advantage of Yin Laoqi’s momentary distraction, the two guards swiftly moved in, restraining him.
Yin Yong observed Yin Laoqi’s lack of resistance, noting that he seemed to have given up, accepting his fate as if he had anticipated this day. After making him kneel in front of Yin Yong, the guards were instructed to pacify the other guards, leaving only Yin Lang present. Yin Yong then produced a small bamboo tube from his sleeve, containing a mechanism at its end. Upon pressing it lightly, a needle tip extended from the top of the bamboo tube, short yet extremely sharp.
Yin Laoqi, upon seeing this, offered a wry smile, “So, Master, you had already replaced the poisonous needle in my hand. No wonder the Second Young Master remained unharmed. Since you were aware, why did you act just now?” Yin Yong lowered his eyes, rotating the needle in his hand, and somberly replied, “I wanted to know if Ah Wen only intended harm to Ah Lang or if he refuses to recognize me as his grandfather.”
Yin Laoqi shifted uncomfortably, lowering his head, “Master, what are you saying? The Eldest Young Master wouldn’t harm you. It’s just that due to your favoritism towards the Second Young Master, he became confused. If he had any intention of harming you, I would never condone it.” Yin Lang listened calmly, as if the discussion didn’t concern his life.
Yin Yong remained silent for an extended period, stowing away the bamboo tube’s mechanism. He then continued questioning Yin Laoqi, “What benefits did he offer you?” Yin Laoqi’s eyes reddened, turning his head away as he replied, “Ping’er is pregnant with the young master’s child. He promised that if this matter is resolved, he will grant her the title of his wife.”
Ping’er was Yin Laoqi’s youngest daughter, possessing an unremarkable appearance and lacking self-awareness. She genuinely believed that the young master had affections for her, eagerly aspiring to become his concubine.
Yin Laoqi hated that iron could not be made into steel, but she was his daughter after all, and she was pregnant with a child, so he could only agree to the young master.
“What are the consequences of this poison?”
“The young master said that after being infected with this poison, people will first have symptoms of wind-cold fever, and the fever will get worse. They could be alive, but will turn stupid.” Yin Yong smiled wryly again and asked Yin Lang, “He’s trying to harm you, what do you want to do with him?”
Yin Lang said calmly, “Whatever you decide.”
Yin Yong sighed, saying, “Do you know why I wanted the Feng guards to leave first?”
Yin Lang nodded, “The family ugliness must not be publicized. Grandfather, I am fine, and will guard against my elder brother in the future. You don’t have to make things difficult for yourself.” Then, he knelt down and held the old man’s hand.
Yin Yong observed the resilience of the young man, recognizing the profound hardships he endured during childhood. However, as the head of the family, he couldn’t easily overlook Yin Wen’s actions. Despite receiving twenty lashes, it seemed insufficient to instill remorse in Yin Wen. Leaving such a cold-blooded and ruthless individual, who had attempted to harm his own brother, at home was a risk that Yin Yong couldn’t afford to take.
“He is my grandson, raised by my own hands. However, he has proven to be merciless. I cannot simply send him to jail. When we return, I will formally sever ties with him and his family. They will be sent away to live, never to return in this lifetime.”
“Grandfather…”
“You don’t need to say anything. I’ve made up my mind. It’s for the best for everyone.”
Yin Yong had truly given up on Yin Wen.
However, when he returned home, Uncle De handed him a farewell letter from Yin Wen.
In the letter, Yin Wen explained how he was injured by Feng Teng, and said that he was going to travel outside for a period of time in frustration. His date of return was uncertain, so that the old man did not have to worry about him.
In an eloquent letter, Yin Wen poured out his pain about not being able to fulfill his filial piety before the old man, cleverly avoiding any mention of the poisonous scheme.
Yin Yong laughed bitterly and inquired of Uncle De, “When did he leave?”
Uncle De replied, “After the Dragon Boat Festival, once he recovered, he expressed a desire to go out alone for relaxation. I didn’t dare to appoint anyone to keep an eye on him.”
The master, though recovering, was monitored by guards. However, given his crippled state, the fear was that he might be provoked into committing suicide. Unexpectedly, the Eldest Young Master had chosen to run away from home.
Uncle De, unaware of Yin Wen’s misdeeds, was concerned about the young master’s well-being. In contrast, Yin Yong saw through the scheme behind the letter in an instant.
Yin Wen, anticipating the exposure of his plot through Yin Laoqi, had fled preemptively. Whether the scheme was revealed or not, he could either stay away and pretend to have gone for a leisurely break, returning when convenient.
The person Yin Yong had painstakingly cultivated for more than a decade had employed all his ingenuity and wisdom in evil ways!